Relationships within physical activity settings

Abstract

Relationships and interpersonal interactions within physical activity settings contribute to engagement quality. As a mini-theory within the broader meta-theory of Self-Determination Theory (SDT), Relationships Motivation Theory (RMT) provides researchers and practitioners with a systematic and coherent theoretical perspective to integrate relational aspects with broader contemporary motivation phenomena. Although physical activity research has yet to test tenets specified within RMT, in this chapter we review extant empirical findings and associated phenomena, providing insight from both a RMT and broader SDT perspective. The chapter is structured around a number of different physical activity settings (active play, school physical education, sport, exercise) and reference is made to a number of available relationships/interpersonal interactions (e.g., exercise buddies, coaches, parents, peers, teachers, volunteers). Applications are then discussed, primarily focussing on the satisfaction of a persons need for relatedness. Lastly, we highlight a number of suggestions for future physical activity research guided by tenets within RMT.